Multiport valve



May 12, 1953 W. A. RAY 2,637,985

MULTIPORT VALVE Filed Jan. 22, 1951 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l 50 50 47 5, "mmm .95x 37` Klim" fg MAL/AM /QAY W. A. RAY

MULTIPORT VALVE May 12, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1951 nql Ihwentor, 4 h//LL/AM A. @AY

Gttorneg Patented May 12, 1953 MULTIPORT VALVE William A. Ray, North Hollywood, Calif., assignor to General Controls Co., Glendale, Calif., a corporation of California Application January 22, 1951, Serial No. 207,222

(Cl. (i2- 127) 6 Claims.

My present invention relates to multiport valve Structures, which, while obviously capable of other uses, are specially adapted for controlling ow of refrigerant to the individual units o-r passes of an evaporator of the multiple type, such as that shown in my Patent No. 2,491,905, issued December 20, 1949.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a valve structure of the character described whereby refrigerant can be distributed equally to a relatively large number of evaporator passes.

Another object is to provide a valve structure having a plurality of outlet ports, one for each pass of the evaporator, and -a closure adapted to gradually uncover or cover all of the ports, equally and simultaneously, so as to throttle the flow of refrigerant.

Another object is to provide a multiport valve structure which includes motor means, operated by the pressure of refrigerant flowing to a single one of the evaporator passes, for actuating a closure controlling now of refrigerant to the remaining ones of the passes.

For full understanding of the invention, and further appreciation of its objects and `advantages, reference is to be had to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims.

ln the drawing:

Figure l is a View, mainly in vertical section, of a refrigerant-control valve structure embodying this invention, and a schematic showing of a conventional refrigerating system which includes an evaporator of the multipass type;

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, in section, of the cup-like closure 2l and its environment;

Figure l is a sectional View of a modied form of valve structure according to this invention; a portion of the section being taken along the irregular line 4--4 of Fig. 5; and

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring rst more particularly to Figs. 1-3 of the drawing, the numeral Il generally indicates a valve structure which comprises a casing I2 having an inlet I3. Ahead of the inlet, in a hollow lateral extension I4 of the casing, is the usual strainer or filter I5. The inlet I3 leads into a vetrcal cylindrical opening or chamber IB in the lower part of the casing; this opening being reduced in diameter at its upper end to tightly receive a hollow cylindrical liner I1 hav- 2 ing through its side wall a row of equally-spaced radial ports I8. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the ports I8 communicate respectively with radial outlet passages l5! which extend through projections 29 to the exterior of the structure.

Cooperable with the ports IS a hollow cylindrical closure 2 I, of thin metal, which is a close sliding lit in the liner Il. Through the bottom wall 22 (see Fig. 3) of closure 2l is a circular row of openings 23; and projecting through a central opening in wall 22, and secured thereto as by brazing, is a` stem 24. The upper portion of stem 2li extends to the top of the casing through an opening therein and in the end wall 25 oi liner il; leakage past the stern being prevented by an O-ring 2li compressed in a recess around the stem. Rotation of stem 2d, and consequently of closure 2l, is prevented by a Woodruff key 2l.

At the top of the structure is a fluid pressure moto-r, for actuating closure 2 l, which comprises a. flexible diaphragm 28 in a shallow recess formed in the top of the casing and covered by a disk 29 secured, as by solder, to the casing with the margin of the diaphragm clamped therebetween. At the underside of diaphragm. 28 is a pusher-plate 3l] having a. central recess for the tip of closure-stem 24; the stem being urged upward against the plate by the force of a compression spring SE acting on the bottom of the stein through a washer 32; means (not shown) for adjusting the force of spring 3| being contained in the hollow lower section 33 of the casing which is closed by a cap 34.

The eight radial outlets I9-2 of the valve structure are connected respectively, by tubes 35, to eight coils 36 which, being connected in common at their outlet ends to a header 3l, form the passes of a multiple evaporator or cooling unit generally indicated at 38. The header 3'! is connected by suction line 39 to a conventional refrigerant-condensing unit which comprises a compressor 40 driven by an electric motor 4I, a condenser d2, and a receiver 43. The operation of the compressor motor is controlled by a pressure switch 114 which, being connected to the suction line 39, is responsive to evaporator and crankcase pressure and acts to initiate the oncycle of the system by starting the compressor when that pressure reaches a predetermined maximum due to rise of temperature of the evaporator, and to stop the compressor and 3 plied through pipe 45 to the inlet I3 of the valve structure, whence the refrigerant may pass under the control of closure 2| to the evaporator passes 35.

As is better seen in Fig. 3, the thin annular wall of closure 2l is slit or notched to provide a series or row of eight forks @E registering respectively with the eight ports i8. The purpose of notching the wall of the closure is so that the resilient forks can be sprung into tight engagement with the liner il and lapped to ensure a close iit. As shown in Figs. 1 3 the closure isy in a position wherein all of the ports I8 are partially, and equally, uncovered so that refrigerant can flow into the ports from the inlet i3 and chamber l by way of the openings 23 in the bottom of the closure. With downward movement of the closure a greater area of each port is uncovered, and when the closure is raised to its full extent now through the ports is obstructed by the top portions of the -iforlss 45. The closure 2i thus functions to obstruct iiow to the ports, or to throttle flow or liquid refrigerant equally to the individual ports, whence it flows to the individual passes or coils 36 of the evaporator.

By the valve arrangement described, distribution ci refrigerant to a large number of evaporator-coils can be eiiected; and since the refrigerant in chamber i@ and as it enters the ports is always in liquid state, it is distributed in equal amounts to the various coils regardless of its change oi state after entering the ports. To limit .How of refrigerant to a maximum rate within the capacity of the evaporator, the necessary restrictions may be provided by the ports it, or as by making a portion of each ci the tubes of small internal diameter.

The space il above the motor diaphragm 28 is connected by a capillary tube fit to a thermostatic bulb lliattached to the suction line and responsive to the temperature at the outlet of the evaporator, so that the pressure of the thermally expansive uid with which bulb 12S and All are charged (preferably, refrigerant oi the come type as that circulating in the system) is applied to the diaphragm in downward direction. space beiow the diaphragm. connected by a 5l and capillary tube 52 to the header El so that. when the reirigerating system is in operation, the pressure of the refrigerant at the outlet of the evaporator is applied to the diaphragm in u), vrd direction.

The operational position of closure 2i is thus determined by the diierence between the pressure above the diaphragm (which pressure is a function of the temperature of bulb 49, and the pressure below the diaphragm plus the force of spring 3l which is adjusted to determine the superheat setting o the evaporator; increase of temperature at the thermostatic bulb effecting movement of the closure in a downward or por*- uncoverinfr direction.

The modified valve structure of Figs. 4-5 may employ the same type of valve closure as is shown in Figs. l3. but in the arrangement of Figs. 4-5 the power for actuating that closure is derived from the pressure of refrigerant iiowing to a sinpass of the evaporator, indicated at 5B, un der the control of valve means actuated by a therrnostatic motor of conventional construction but of relatively small size and capacity. evaporator is therefore shown as including an additional pass there being nine passes in all. The outlet end of pass 5l, as well as those ends of the remaining eight passes 58, are confic nected in common to a header 59 from which a suction line Si! leads to a condensing unit, not shown, but which may be the same as in Fig. 1.

The valve structure of Figs. Il-E comprises a casing 6| which is bored to form an inlet chamber G2, communicating with the refrigerant inlet @3 and closed at its bottom by a tting 64, and en outlet chamber G5. Pressed in the bore of chamber E5 is a. hollow member 66 having an opening through its bottom with which the rounded tip of a valve member El cooperates; the valve member being urged toward seating position by the force of a compression spring 68 in chamber 62 and acting on the member through a cupped disk GS.

At the top of the structure is a iluid pressure motor which comprises a flexible diaphragm l0 in a shallow recess in the casing and clamped by its margin to the casing by a, disk 'l l. The space above diaphragm 'it communicates by way of a capillary tube 'l2 with a thermostatic bulb 13 attached to suction line Gil; this systemv being with the usual thermoexpansive uid. At the underside of the diaphragm is a flanged pusher-plate 'lll whereby movements of the diaphragm transmitted to the valve member 61 through a rod l5 which. sealingly extends through an opening in the top of the outlet chamber 65 has a reduced lower portion engaging the valve member. The space below diaphragm 10 communicates by way of an annular recess 16, passage T! tube 'l with the evaporator header 59.

Frein the description so far, it is clear that with rise of temperature at the thermostatic bulb E31 the valve means tit- Bl is opened and refrigerant lows from inlet 53 to the outlet chamber Eli. From this chamber the refrigerant passes through an opening 'i9 in the back of the casing, and through a iitting (Fig. 5) and tube 8| to the top'pass il of the evaporator.

From the outlet chamber (i5 another opening leads to a cylindrical space 83 bored in a lateral brojection 84 oi the casing. Reciprocable in an extension of this space is a piston 85 having a stein iii which passes through an opening in the e wall of a cupped member 8'! in a further of space 83 and secured in place by a 238. rThe piston 85 is urged toward its end of the bore of extension 84.

Secured to the piston stern 8 is a cylindrical closure of the saine form as the closure 2l shown in Figs. l-3, which has a close sliding nt with the cylindrical inner surface of the cupped member BT and whose forks are registerable with ports s4 in the side wall of that member and communieatingwith outlet passages El in radial projections 96; the passages 95 leading through tubes al to the eight lower passes 5i! of the evaporator. It is to be noted that, as seen in Fig. 4, this portion of the structure is cut along the irregular line fl-l of Fig. 5. Rotation of disk S0, and thereby rotation of closure 93, is prevented by fingers 9B provided at the edge of the disk and cooperating with slots cut in the surface bounding bore 92. Sealing or the piston 85, its stem S6, and the cupped member 8l, is ensured by conventional O-rings, as shown.

The chamber bounded by the ported inner surface of cupped member 3l is constantly in communication with the inlet chamber 62 of the valve structure by way of a horizontal passage IUD in the lower part of extension 8d, inclined passage lill, bore 92, openings H32 through disk sii, and the openings through the end Wall oi closure 93. The space between piston 85 and the end wall of cupped member 8'? is connected by an inclined passage itil with the space below diaphragm 'Hl to permit proper movement of the piston; the end Wall of member 8l serving to isolate the piston or movable wall S5 from the pressure of refrigerant in chamber ill.

With the parts in the positions shown in Figs. 4-5 the valve member 6'! is seated, and the piston 85 therefore in its spring-biased position Wherein the outlet ports 94 are covered by the forks of closure SBS. With rise of temperature at the thermostatic bulb i3 the pressure above diaphragm 'Ill effects unseating of valve member 6l so that refrigerant iiows into chamber 65 and thence through opening i9 to the top pass 5i of the evaporator. The pressure of the refrigerant entering chamber 65 is applied, through opening i12, to the space t3 ahead of piston 8E so that the same is driven to the right; the corresponding movement of closure Q3 effecting uncovering of ports @il so that refrigerant flows also to the remaining passes 58 of the evaporator.

The multiport valve structure shown more particularly in Fig. 3 is claimed in my copending application Serial No. 337,182 which on February 16, 1953 was led as a division of the ,i

present application.

The specio embodiments of my invention herein shown and described are obviously susceptible of modification without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I intend therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

.l claim as my invention:

1. In a valve structure for controlling flow of refrigerant to an evaporator of the multipass type: a casing having an inlet for liquid refrigerant and an outlet adapted to be connected to one oi the passes of said evaporator, said casing including means defining a space in constant communication with said outlet; valve means for i controlling flovv of refrigerant from said inlet to said outlet and said space; means mounted on said casing for actuating said valve means; said casing also including means defining a chamber and means uidly connecting the chamber to said finlet, there being a plurality of separate outlet ports leading from said chamber for connection respectively to the individual remaining ones of said evaporator passes; a movable closure cooperable with said ports and adapted in its movements to uncover and to cover all of said ports simultaneously; and means operated by the pressure of refrigerant in said space for actuating said closure so as to effect uncovering of said ports when said valve means is opened.

2. In a valve structure for controlling oW of refrigerant to an evaporator of the multipass type: a casing having an inlet for liquid refrigerant and an outlet adapted to be connected to one of the passes of said evaporator, said casing including means deiining a space in constant communication with said outlet; said space-dening means including a Wall subjected to the pressure of refrigerant in said space and movable in accordance with variations of said pressure; valve means for controllingT flow of refrigerant from said inlet to said outlet and said space; means mounted on said casing for actuating said valve means; said casing also including means dening a chamber and means luidly connecting the chamber to said inlet, there being a plurality of separate outlet ports leading from said chamber for connection respectively to the individual remaining ones of said evaporator passes; a movable closure cooperable with said ports and adapted in its movements to uncover and to cover all of said ports simultaneously; and means operatively interconnecting said closure and said movable wall, the arrangement being such that movement of the wall in response to increase of pressure in said space effects movement of the closure in port-uncovering direction.

3. A valve structure as dened in claim 2, and including means for isolating said movable wall from the pressure of refrigerant in said chamber.

4. In a valve structure for controlling flow of refrigerant to an evaporator of the multipass type: a casing having an inlet for liquid refrigerant and an outlet adapted to be connected to one of the passes of said evaporator, said casing including means deiining a space in constant communication with said outlet; said spacedefining means including a Wall subjected to the pressure of refrigerant in said space and movable in accordance with variations of said pressure; valve means for controlling flow of refrigerant from said inlet to said outlet and said space; means mounted on said casing for actuating said valve means; said casing also including means defining a chamber and means fluidly connecting the chamber to said inlet, a portion of the Wall of said chamber-defining means being cylindrical, there being a circumferential row of separate outlet ports leading from said portion-surface for connection respectively to the individual remaining ones of said evaporator passes; a movable cylindrical closure fitting said portionsurface and so cooperating with said ports in its movement relative thereto as to uncover or to cover all of the ports simultaneously; and means operatively interconnecting said closure and said movable wall, the arrangement being such that movement of the Wall in response to increase of pressure in said space eiects movement of the closure in port-uncovering direction.

5. A valve structure as defined in claim 4, and including means for isolating said movable wall from the pressure of refrigerant in said chamber.

6. A valve structure as defined in claim 4, and wherein said cylindrical closure is hollow and its side wall is formed to provide a plurality of independent resilient portions cooperable respectively with the individual remaining ones of said ports and urged into engagement with said portion-surface.

WILLIAM A. RAY.

References Cited in the :file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,560,567 Grant Nov. 10, 1925 2,182,718 Anderson Dec. 5, 1939 2,401,144 Dube May 28, 1946 

